Rajasthan Royals Captain Riyan Parag Advocates for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Privacy Ahead of IPL 2026
Riyan Parag's Support for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Riyan Parag, the captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR), has taken a stand to shield the young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from excessive media attention as IPL 2026 approaches. Sooryavanshi, who is just starting his career, gained significant recognition after scoring a remarkable century off just 35 balls against the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.
The 14-year-old cricketer from Bihar has captured the spotlight with his bold batting style and consistent performance. Following a successful debut season in the IPL, he continued to shine in the U19 Asia Cup 2025 and the U19 World Cup 2026, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
Sooryavanshi is set to return for another season with the Rajasthan Royals, continuing under the leadership of Riyan Parag. He has already joined the team and is gearing up for the upcoming IPL 2026.
Parag's Request to the Media
The media attention on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has surged due to his rapid ascent in both domestic and international youth cricket. Recognizing the pressure on the young player, RR captain Riyan Parag expressed his desire for Sooryavanshi to concentrate on his game rather than engage with the media.
During a press conference for the unveiling of the RR jersey, Parag appealed to journalists to refrain from pursuing Sooryavanshi or contacting his manager as he prepares for the IPL 2026.
"As captain, my advice to him is to limit press engagements and media interactions," Parag stated. "Let him enjoy the game, and I ask you (the media) to respect his space. He is just a 14-year-old boy; let him focus on cricket. He is performing exceptionally well and is poised to make our country proud," he added.
Sooryavanshi's Impressive IPL Debut
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was acquired by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.1 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction, making him one of the most valuable young players in IPL history. He justified this hefty price tag by scoring 252 runs in his debut season, which included a century and a half-century, boasting an average of 36 and an impressive strike rate of 206.55 across seven matches.
Opening Partnership for IPL 2026
With Sanju Samson traded to Chennai Super Kings before the IPL mini-auction, Riyan Parag confirmed that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will form the opening pair for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026.
Parag praised Sooryavanshi's fearless approach to batting and encouraged him to play freely, emphasizing his remarkable achievements over the past year and anticipating a strong partnership with Jaiswal.
"My only advice to Vaibhav is to hit the first ball if it's there to be hit. No young player has accomplished what he has in the last year. I am confident he will create a powerful opening duo with Yashasvi," the Royals captain remarked.
Sooryavanshi's Role in the Team
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to play a pivotal role in the Rajasthan Royals' pursuit of their second IPL title. With the experience gained from his breakout season, he aims to maintain his momentum in the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
The franchise will once again depend on his fearless batting at the top of the order as they strive for a strong challenge in IPL 2026.